Ryder Cup

US reclaim Ryder Cup

Having romped to a commanding 11-5 advantage after the foursome and fourball sessions, the Americans entered the singles needing just 3-1/2 points to get to the target needed to hoist the little gold trophy.

Collin Morikawa ended European hopes when he birdied the 17th in his match with Viktor Hovland, guaranteeing the US a deciding half-point.

The 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie would make it official a few minutes later with a par on 18 to end the match in a tie, sending a thundering chant of "USA, USA" rumbling across Whistling Straits.

USA regain Ryder Cup

 Davis Love III's team held a 9.5 - 6.5 lead heading into Sunday's singles and received a huge boost when Patrick Reed recorded a 1up win over Rory McIlroy in a gripping opening match.

Henrik Stenson, Thomas Pieters and Rafael Cabrera Bello all secured points for the reigning champions, having been sent out early by Darren Clarke, the Belgian breaking new ground as a European rookie with his fourth triumph of the week.

USA were the better team – Clarke

A woeful start at Hazeltine left Europe 4-0 down after Friday's foursomes and they never recovered to take the lead in the tournament.

It left Clarke needing another miracle like the one he contributed to as a vice-captain at Medinah in 2012 and, despite comfortably winning three of the first five matches out, it was all downhill from there.

It was left to Ryan Moore to pick up the winning point to spark wild celebrations among Davis Love III's team and the raucous home fans.

Captains Love, Clarke explain method behind first pairings

After countless hours of planning and strategizing, the first pairings are on the board, with Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed to start things off against Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose at Hazeltine.

During his Thursday news conference, Love spoke about the excitement of his players, and in turn how that has affected him.

"I hopped on a cart and raced back up here [from the opening ceremony] with Dustin Johnson on the back and he immediately said, 'I love these pairings.' That's what you want to hear from your players, that they are excited," Love said. 

USA enjoying having Tiger, even without a golf club

Wednesday marked the second day of practice rounds at Hazeltine National Golf Club, and Woods was once again an accessible presence on the course for players to talk to for advice.

Woods followed the group consisting of Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar for the second straight day, but players outside of that pod have enjoyed his presence as well.

Phil Mickelson spoke about Woods' influence in the locker room, and his desire to help the team play their best golf.

Willett apologises for brother's 'US fans imbeciles' rant

Schoolteacher Peter Willett wrote the piece for a golf magazine, offering his thoughts on what each side needs to do to win the biennial event at Hazeltine.

"The Americans need their baying mob of imbeciles to caress their egos every step of the way," he wrote.

Danny Willett said: "I apologise. It's not the thoughts of me or the team."

'We are a little rusty' - Love laughs off Woods being final Ryder Cup pick

Love announced the selections of Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar for the playing line-up at a media conference on Monday, with the captain to make one more pick following the conclusion of the Tour Championship on September 25 to club the US line-up.

Kuchar playfully suggested it could go to Woods, who last week announced his intention to return to competitive action at the Safeway Open in October having been out since August 2015 with a back injury.